Arsenal were joined by representatives from Bayern Munich and Napoli in scouting Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud during last night’s 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain.

Highly rated: Giroud (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

The 25-year-old has proved to a revelation for the Ligue 1 side this term, scoring 20 goals in 27 matches, having previously enjoyed a journeyman career with Grenoble, Istres and Tours.

Giroud has also seen his stock rise on the international front, currently boasting two caps for France, and has become hot property among European sides.

Newcastle were ready to open the bidding in January, only to be told he was not for sale and that they were ‘too small a club’ by Montpellier owner Louis Nicollin.

However, the Magpies are not the only Premier League side chasing Giroud, with Arsenal’s France-based scout Gilles Grimandi confirming the Gunners’ interest two weeks ago.

‘He’s one of those we’re looking at. It is impossible not to watch him after his development in the past two years,’ said Grimandi.

Scouts from Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Napoli saw the 6ft 3in target man turn in a solid 90 minutes and grab an assist in a 2-2 draw with Carlo Ancelotti’s PSG at the Parc des Princes.

The Gunners have been impressed with what they’ve seen of Giroud, and believe Montpellier will back track on their £30 million valuation of this hitman in the summer, and settle for something in the region of £15million.

Arsenal are also interested in FC Cologne’s Lukas Podolski and Anderlecht’s Matias Suarez, but want to permanently offload flop forwards Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner before buying another striker.